Helping hens recover from breeding?

[MisterGribs]

My hen had 2 clutches in a row, and I'm worried about her health. She's a zebra finch, so there's nearly no way to stop her from breeding without causing a lot of stress to her, so I'd like to gather some information about which nutrients, besides calcium and vitamin D, I should focus on.

I didn't find much information about WHICH nutrients eventually became deficient, only that some mystery nutrients did.

She has a perforated ear drum, and tends to fall a lot when she feels weak and she broke a blood feather yesterday, so I feel the fire under my bum.

[haroun]

Hi.
IMHO u should separate the male, cut off milet and protein go a head on rest diet based on plain alpist seed, if u keep for her the nest u should toss any laid egg off corse u kerp availble the calcium and vitD.

Alpiste seeds : canarie's grass seeds

[MisterGribs]

haroun OK, I can stop feeding them so much egg, they eat quite a lot of it.

[lovezebs]

MisterGribs

Hello,

I know that some breeders are strong proponents of the Austerity Diet for their non breeding birds, so that might be something to look into.

Here is a bit of an article which might be helpful....

https://www.beautyofbirds.com/egglaying.html

[Dave]

An austerity diet has always bothered me. Even when they're not breeding / molting, they need the full range of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

My own thought is that on an austerity diet you are making the birds so unhealthy that they can't lay eggs.

I wonder if any other field of animal husbandry practices an austerity diet?

[paul-inAZ]

Dave:
The austerity diet has been used forever for cage birds with no ill effects on the birds except that they burn fat, get leaner and it does cool the hormones off. It mimics seasonal cycles in the wild when water and thus food is harder to find.
Used for a month or so it shouldn't cause any trouble.
Once back on a full diet they may or may not swing into breeding mode again just as they would in spring time when food becomes plentiful in the wild.

[Dave]

I could accept a month. I don't think I could accept a season which is what I've read about. paul-inAZ, thanks.

[paul-inAZ]

I've done austerity for several months at a time with no problems.
But my finches are Gouldians that originate in a fairly harsh climate with a long dry period so food becomes scarce. Not that dissimilar to Arizona's climate. Gouldian physiology could be different so they can better tolerate longer periods of austerity.

[Babs _Owner]

Separation from the male/female and some plastic eggs to sit on. Societies and some zebras will sit and "rest" for over a month on fake eggs.

Good time for her to recuperate and eat what she needs. Thats how I keep my societies healthy with nests, all year long, without the need to remove their nests. They are still alive despite their high breeding rate. My societies will sit on fake eggs for over two months before giving up.

And I cut way down on the protein during that time.

[MisterGribs]

Babs I think this is great advice, I'm gonna go with this, and no egg for a while and see if it cools her jets.

[MisterGribs]

In addition to focusing on stopping Vilu from breeding, what can I give her to get her back up to health in the rest period? Just her normal foods and time?

[Babs _Owner]

MisterGribs

I would think her normal diet. I know you are mindful of good nutrition.
I'd add some extra calcium to replenish what she's lost and cut down on fatty seeds in addition to taking away to eggfood.